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Gori: Cuddly Carnage is a truly peculiar game that is wildly fun to play. It has some unfortunate technical issues, but the distinct world and wonderfully gruesome gameplay go a long way to craft a game unlike anything else I’ve experienced.
Bakeru is a rather unique title that showcases Japan and its culture in a colorful and exciting way that would appeal to anyone. If you’re a fan of Mystical Ninja Goemon, Japanese mythology, or just distinct games in general, then Bakeru is worth your time and attention.
While not my favorite Shin Megami Tensei game, I cannot recommend Shin Megami Tensei V enough. And with the Canon of Vengeance included, it’s a must for any RPG fan.
Noctuary combines visual novel storytelling with action RPG battles to create a memorable experience that will appeal most to fans of visual novels, though its combat is enjoyable as well. With easily over 20 hours of content and a great amount of attention to detail in its storytelling, it stands out as an overlooked gem of 2023.
Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is a fun take on blackjack and roguelike deck builders, using unique cards and rules to make blackjack a slightly more strategic game. It doesn't have the most engaging visual style and doesn't have the same extended sense of discovery other games in the genre have, but each run is unique enough to make you say "one more run" a few times.
Cat Quest III offers a decent amount of gameplay for the price, a colorful, consistent, and fully realized art style, and a game that can be completed 100% with a friend.
Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a delightful summer exploration game that harkens back to childhood days gone by in a refreshing way. There are tons to do and see, making it easy to recommend to anyone who’s looking to close out the summer with a relaxing title.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a unique and exciting Star Wars game that mostly holds up over 20 years later. The new release retains a few tiny errors, but for the most part, this is a great way to check out one of the seemingly less-remembered Star Wars titles from long, long ago.
Anger Foot is loud, dumb fun with a blistering soundtrack to kick doors down to.
Thank Goodness You’re Here! is an incredible experience in both humor and execution. This is what a game looks like when it’s firing on all cylinders, it’s a tour de force of art, music, platforming, and puzzle solving.
Samurai Warriors 4 DX was a great choice to bring over, it is a game absolutely bursting at the seams with content. It serves as both a great entry into the Samurai Warriors franchise as much as it is a great introduction to the Musou genre for newbies, with enough things to do that you will be prepped and ready to take down some of the more complex entries in the genre. The addition of good working online co-op is a big plus as well because I think these games are best enjoyed with a friend!
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition will heavily appeal to a specific group of players, but it’s a very enjoyable title for the unique experience it provides. Casual players will likely not find as much to do here, but those who are raring to clash with others in iconic NES games are in for a treat.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is a fun and well-put together action-RPG, with a trope filled story. It isn't going to blow anyone's socks off, but this small adventure has just enough going for it and a short enough runtime that makes it worth diving into, especially for people that love focused and methodical combat.
A thought-provoking experience that had me questioning the reality Karra was living in throughout most of the game, Nobody Wants to Die is a must for mystery, adventure, and noir fans.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a brilliant action-strategy game that once again proves Capcom’s ability to make enjoyable games in essentially any genre. The gameplay and atmosphere are top-notch and unlike anything I’ve played in a good while, making for one of this year’s most memorable games.
While incredibly gorgeous, and filled with small moments of greatness, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus suffers from several rough edges in its combat, platforming, and level design. None of these make a bad game by themselves, but the frustrations mount over time, dragging down what could have been a special experience.
Being free-to-play, it’d be hard for me to tell you not to give The First Descendant a try. Even after forty hours, I’m still looking forward to spending more time in Ingris and unlocking more Descendants.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a great remaster of an overall enjoyable 3DS sequel. Though the price point is a bit steep, the visual upgrade and core gameplay make this a solid rerelease of a somewhat overlooked Mario spin-off.
Spy x Anya: Operation Memories is a pleasant and laid-back romp for fans of Spy x Family. Though it may wear thin a bit quickly for anyone outside of the fanbase, the varied minigames and breezy story and character interactions will make this a decent time for fans of the series.
Until Then isn’t the best narrative adventure game I’ve played but it’s definitely one I’ll remember for a long time. Don’t sleep on Until Then, it’s a worthwhile experience.